Fatima Mohamed, MA

If you want to learn more about her, visit Fatima’s profile.

The post Meet our new therapist! – Fatima Mohamed first appeared on Mindfully Healing.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Group for Depression and Anxiety

Now Accepting Applicants!

OVERVIEW:

We will be learning and practicing effective skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help us grow and obtain “a life worth living”. DBT has proven to be influential in changing the lives of many people. The skills you learn in this group can change your life also, however you must be committed and determined to practice the skills daily so they become default behavior.

DETAILS:

Activities will include lessons focused on teaching appropriate skills to combat depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms.

WHEN:

Weekly, Mondays @ 9:00 to 10:30 am CST.

CLINICAL FACILITATORS:

Marlee Kruzel
Hannah Lenertz
Mitchell Olson

SKILLS:

Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Communication, Distress Tolerance

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES:

Adult (18+), Recent Diagnostic Assessment (we can complete), Dedicated/committed to change and attending sessions, Insurance or Private Pay Accepted

REGISTER HERE

The post DBT Skills Group for Depression and Anxiety – Now Accepting Applicants! first appeared on Mindfully Healing.

Kids Going Back to School: Navigating Mental Health Challenges

As the excitement and anticipation of a new school year fill the air, many children and parents also grapple with the unique challenges that returning to school can bring. It’s essential to stay informed about the latest research on kids going back to school and how it impacts their mental health.

Understanding the Back-to-School Anxiety

Back-to-school anxiety is a prevalent concern among children and adolescents. It’s perfectly normal for kids to feel a mix of emotions as they return to school after a long break or transition to a new grade or school. However, when these feelings become overwhelming and persistent, they can have a significant impact on a child’s mental health.

Recent studies have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these anxieties, with many children experiencing heightened stress due to disruptions in their routines and social interactions. Researchers have identified several key factors contributing to back-to-school anxiety:

1. Social pressure and peer relationships
2. Academic expectations and performance stress
3. Adjusting to new environments and routines
4. Health concerns, including fears of illness

Understanding these factors is the first step in addressing and supporting your child’s mental health during the back-to-school transition.

Strategies for Promoting Mental Well-being

Fortunately, there are effective strategies that parents, educators, and caregivers can implement to promote mental well-being as kids return to school:

• Open Communication: Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings and concerns. Listen actively and offer reassurance.
• Establish Routine: Consistent routines help children feel secure and reduce anxiety. Set regular sleep, meal, and study schedules.
• Encourage Physical Activity: Regular exercise can have a positive impact on mood and reduce stress. Encourage your child to engage in physical activities they enjoy.
• Seek Professional Help: If your child’s anxiety persists or worsens, consider seeking help from a qualified therapist or counselor. Mindfully Healing in Minnetonka, MN, has a team of experienced therapists who specialize in mental health.

How Mindfully Healing Can Help

Mindfully Healing in Minnetonka, MN, is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. If your child is struggling with back-to-school anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, our therapists can provide the guidance and support they need to thrive. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Our team of skilled therapists specializes in helping young individuals navigate the challenges of going back to school. Contact Mindfully Healing today at 952-491-9450. Visit our website: Find a local Therapist.

The post Kids Going Back to School: Navigating Mental Health Challenges first appeared on Mindfully Healing.

It’s been a long time coming. I’ve often written here about my mental challenges around change when it comes to diabetes management. It took me years to pluck up the courage to take my first shot. I did everything I could while living with diabetes to restrict my food intake, so I wouldn’t need insulin. Not a great strategy.

When I started my insulin regime I was on about 4 units of long acting per day. Eventually I needed more, but there were issues with lows at weird times of day so my diabetes educator recommended I break up the dose into two shots.

A couple of years ago my new diabetes educator suggested that maybe that strategy wasn’t working. I was having big and fast drops at lunch time making it challenging to do anything. I’m talking lows every half hour between 11 and 1, no matter the treatment strategy.

So last week when she suggested I try to switch to one shot a day I acquiesced.

I’m just 2 units shy of having one dose a day and I am quite relieved that so far it hasn’t gone to “hell and a hand basket” as my diabetes educator joked. In fact, it’s been a good test for the tools I have had in play since working with the Diabetes Psychologist Mark Heyman in 2022.

He helped me to put my experiences with lows and highs in perspective. If you haven’t already, get “Diabetes sucks, but you can handle it” It’s a lifesaving resource which includes practical activities to engage with any mental health challenges around living with Type 1 diabetes.

As I am still not fully on the other side of my changeover to one shot a day I can’t report any earth-shattering revelations, but I do feel like celebrating the wins along the way. Like no big low at lunch time anymore. Flat levels at night and more peace of mind. If you are struggling with an aspect of your management I highly recommend getting some extra eyes on the issue and also trusting their experience and advice.

It took me almost 15 years to get there but I’m so glad I did!

With great respect,

Rachel

P.s Yoga for Diabetes Blog  was just named one of the best diabetes blogs by Feedspot.com for 2024! I’ve been a bit remiss in writing lately so really appreciate the recognition and nudge.

You may have noticed that I have been super quiet on the blog this last year. Occasionally blogging, sometimes posting on Instagram and showing up for my monthly meditation offerings with the Diabetes Sangha. In general, though I’m having a “break” from the advocacy aspect of living with diabetes. This past year has been one of big physical transition. We moved countries, I came out of my hermit phase and started teaching in person groups, workshops and retreats plus working in the detox space and respite care. Being up close and personal with human beings again has been beyond rewarding. I am even more convinced in the power of yoga, breathing and meditation to transform lives.

Being up close and personal with my diabetes management amidst all this movement and change has been an uber challenge. I’ve had months of highs after contracting Covid and some pretty hairy lows which have been completely out of left field. Managing my life out in the world and my diabetes has been intense. I haven’t felt like talking about it.

What I have had is great support from my team. I work with a diabetes educator, diabetes dietician and a diabetes psychologist. These three arms of support have helped me gain perspective. Even if everything has felt out of my control, the solid tools I’ve received over the last few years have stood in good stead. Overall, I am less anxious, more proactive with dosing and more accepting of out of range numbers.

I’ve been officially living with diabetes now for 15 years. The last 5 years being on a full Basal/ Bolus regime. No one can prepare you for the challenges of this condition, it not just the routine of taking insulin and counting carbs it’s that the body always in flux has its own rhythm that ultimately, we can’t even begin to fathom.

Everything science does in relationship to the body is to try to explain what it does. But what I’ve come to understand through my study of the deeper aspects of yoga is no one ACTUALLY knows what the body does or is capable of. We are born into a body, but we have no idea how it works and what is keeping us alive. Yes, the heart pumps, the lungs breathe but what MAKES the heart pump and the lungs breathe? What is it that makes us conscious and conscious of being conscious. The big question being… what is consciousness?

When I get all caught up in the frustration of taking 3.5 units for 72 carbs and it all misfires and I’m like …WHY? I feel better equipped knowing even the biggest questions we have as human beings are unanswerable.

So, living in that space of “I don’t know” with my diabetes management, while at the same time doing my best to manage it has become my daily practice.

As I come up to my 15th Diaversary and World Diabetes Day, I am grateful to be alive, to be able to keep learning and growing and to share with others the beauty and power of yoga.

With great respect…

Rachel

I’ve had diabetes for 16 years. At diagnosis it all seemed so unreal. I barely had symptoms, my blood sugars were mostly in range and it seemed like dietary and exercise changes were all that was needed. Now things are vastly different. I’m taking 7 shots a day, I need the average amount of insulin for someone my weight and age and living on insulin is my new normal.

But that doesn’t mean things aren’t tough. Things are super tough right now. I’ve been tweaking my doses for 6 months and still can’t seem to stay in range 70% of the time. The only variable in my life is stress. Stress from moving and changing countries after three years and the stress of trying to manage something that ultimately is impossible to manage. But I keep trying.

The biggest change in my life has been adopting a normal whole food diet. Overall I am way healthier, fitter and happier. And living in Australia I’m way busier. I work pretty well full time teaching yoga and managing an online yoga ashram where I’m the chief marketing and sales gal as well as web designer, video creator and lately chatGPT prompt master…

With life back to ‘normal’ I’ve been focussing on the axiom, one day at a time. Sometimes even one day at a time is too broad. Sometimes its 1 second at a time. Don’t get me wrong I’m not depressed or anxious…I’m just tired… tired of trying so hard to juggle all the balls in the air at once.

And yet… I’m also positive. Positive that I have the tools at hand to manage my health well. Positive because I have more support from my health care team then ever. And positive because I have the tools of yoga to support me on my journey.

I’m still a huge advocate for yoga and diabetes and that’s something that will never change.

If you’d like to connect with me and my offerings you can find me on Insight Timer, YouTube or become a member of our Online Yoga Ashram

With great Respect….

Rachel